What You Should Know about Thyroid Tests

Your health is one of the most precious things that you have in this life. That’s why it’s very important for you to maintain your health and keep your body in good condition. There are many things that you can do to stay healthy. On the other hand, there are also various types of health issues that might occur to you. One of the most common types of health issues that might happen to you is thyroid dysfunction. This type of health issue occurs when your thyroid produces too much or too little hormone which might lead to other health issues such as tremors, anxiety, or even extreme weight loss. When your thyroid produces too much hormone, this condition will be known as hyperthyroidism. On the other hand, when your thyroid produces too little hormone, this condition will be known as hypothyroidism. Both conditions can cause further health issues and need to be treated properly.

To find out whether the amount of hormones that are produced by your thyroid gland is normal or not, the doctor will use thyroid testson you. This type of test is considered as one of the most common types of tests that are available these days. You can get this type of test on any health clinic or hospital these days. Before you decide to take this type of test, it might be important for you to consult your doctor first. Your doctor will examine your condition and will decide whether you need this type of test or not. Other thing that you might need to consider before taking this type of test is how much cash that you have to spend for the tests.

Thyroid hormone tests basically came in several types. The blood tests that are used in determining the amount of hormone that is produced by your thyroid glands are including the total thyroxine test, the free thyroxine test, and the triiodothyronine test. Thyroxine is also known as T4. Thyroxine can be found in the blood, attached to protein that is known as thyroxine-binding globulin. Free thyroxine is also known as FT4 or FTI. FT4 is the type of free thyroxine that can be measured directly while FTI is the type of free thyroxine which is calculated as free thyroxine index. The triiodothyronine is also known as T3. Like T4, the T3 is found in blood, attached to the thyroxine-binding globulin.

The thyroid blood test is performed for several purposes. The first reason why this type of test is done is to find out the causes of abnormal TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone. This is considered as the main reason why the thyroid blood test needs to be performed. Other purpose of the thyroid blood test is to examine how well the treatment that is used for the patients with thyroid disease works. The values of T4, FT4, and FTI can be used to track the development of treatment that is used in treating hyperthyroidism. The last reason of why the thyroid blood test needs to be done is to find out whether the thyroid gland works normally or not in newborns. With this test, the hypothyroidism in newborns can be treated sooner.